MARDAN: Tawab Khan of Pakistani ethnicity has become a member of Thai parliament, family sources said here on Monday.

He and his siblings were born in Thailand as his father migrated there from the native Muhibullah Banda village in Adina area before the partition of Indian Subcontinent.

The family sources said Tawab Khan had close relations with Thai royal family and enjoyed influence in Thailand’s ruling circles.

He remained a special representative of the Thai king for Muslim community living across the country. The newly-elected Thai parliamentarian is fluent in Pashto language and regularly visits Muhibullah Banda village to meet relatives and friends.

The villagers expressed jubilation at the election of Tawab Khan to Thai parliament and hoped that he would help the two countries further strengthen relations.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2020